The Ripple Effect by S. L. Kanner

Two young basketball stars are found dead in a small town. One of the persons turns out to have been from the small town. The deaths are ruled a murder-suicide, and accepted by most. Two people in the town however aren't so sure. Sheriff Harding Williams and local reporter Bradley Gifford feel perhaps it was instead a double murder. The bond between these two characters, with its foundation in the past, grows and deepens as they slowly piece together what led to the deaths of these two young stars.

I was intrigued to read this book after reading the back cover. Unfortunately however I did not enjoy the book as much as I had hoped. At times I found it difficult to distinguish which character was speaking. Parts of the dialog came across as being melodramatic. The development and descriptions of the characters was done well. I was able to easily create a mental picture of each one.

I received a complimentary copy of “The Ripple Effect” as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team. This book is available at http://dorrance.stores.yahoo.net/ripplee...

 

The Ripple Effect ~ S. Lee Kanner

ISBN: 0-8059-5199-7

The Ripple Effect ~ S. Lee Kanner

ISBN: 0-8059-5199-7

Invisible Literature by Barbara Jordan

The story begins with the main character, Arie, on her way to a hospital after learning of her Godmother having a bad fall down a set of stairs. While her godmother's recovering in the hospital Arie learns her fall was actually a murder attempt. Arie becomes less and less sure who to trust while she tries to uncover who's behind the plot to murder her Godmother. As secrets begin to unfold Arie tries to keep her own secret about her identity. To make matters even more complex, she's begun having feelings for her godmother's doctor.

The author's style of storytelling felt a bit inexperienced. One gets the feeling this is the author's first work. While some characters felt as though they were real people, others had a 'B-movie' type of feel. I found it easy to empathize with Arie. Her concern and love for her family was easily felt. My favorite character was the Godmother who came across as feisty and independent yet loving as well. However the butler and maid characters seemed off-beat with the other characters in the story. The dialog of the butler and compliance of the maid felt a bit unrealistic.

All that being said, this is indeed the author's first book and I sincerely congratulate her for writing it. I believe she has the potential to develop her writing further.


Dorrance Publishing Inc published this book and has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book.  This is an honest review, and just my two cents.  This book can be found at http://dorrance.stores.yahoo.net/inlit.html

Surviving Your Serengeti: Seven Skills to Master Business and Life By Stefan Swanepoel

 

Which animal are you?  An enduring wildebeest, a strategic lion, or a risk-taking mongoose?  Perhaps a gracious giraffe, a communicating elephant, an enterprising crocodile, or an efficient cheetah?  Take a trip to the Serengeti Plains of  East Africa and find out.  Stefan Swanepoel's “Surviving Your Serengeti” is an excellent read providing 7 key skills essential to personal and professional life.

The story is told through a couple's experience, Sean and Ashley, who have won a three day guided trip in Africa.  Shortly after arriving in the Serengeti Plains, on their way to a campsite, they have their first experience with an animal from the Plains, thousands of wildebeests.

Not too long after arriving at the campsite, Sean and Ashley meet an old college roommate of Sean's, Zacharia, who is staying at the campsite while studying unique skills of various animals.  In an attempt to describe what he does, Zacharia tells them about the wildebeest primary skill of survival.  Along their trip, Sean and Ashley come to learn about 6 more animals and their skills.

The Serengeti and annual migration of the animals are symbolic of our lives and the challenges faced.  The animals' methods of survival represent skills needed to survive and lead a more fulfilling, enriched life.  The style of storytelling is reminiscent of 'The Celestine Prophecy'.  Although the messages of the two books are somewhat different, the overall idea is the same...finding your way through this sometimes difficult world.

A chapter is devoted to each animal and understanding of the animal's primary survival skill.  At the end of each chapter a brief summary of the skill is provided, examples of the skill in use, and ways to develop the skill.  The author creates a feeling of being there with each animal through his ownexperience in the Plains and descriptive use of words.

I found the book to be quite enjoyable and enlightening.  I was a bit saddened when I came to the end of the book as I felt I was saying 'Good-bye' to characters who had become friends.  This is one book I plan on keeping and adding to my personal library.

BookSneeze® has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book.  This is an honest review, and just my two cents (and first book review).  ;-)

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